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Best Brand Transmission

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by daddyflea, Sep 10, 2013.

  1. Sep 10, 2013 #1
    daddyflea

    daddyflea Bobtail Member

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    Sep 11, 2012
    0
    I have returned to Trucking after a 20 year absence. When driving before I ran a Fuller Road Ranger in 10 speed. Every one I drove seemed easy to float. Now they are Eaton Fuller and harder to float. I suspect this has to do with the lower engines RPMs. My favorite so far was the 13 speed. What are the choices by brand in transmissions now and which do you think are best. I am considering buying my own but I have been out of the loop.
     
    daddyflea, Sep 10, 2013
    daddyflea, Sep 10, 2013
    #1
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  3. Sep 10, 2013 #2
    379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    Jun 25, 2012
    rolling through hell
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    The two main manuals on the market to my knowledge are Eaton and Rockwell (meritor) now we all know a meritor isn't worth the money you'll spend on gunpowder to blow it up so that leaves you with Eaton. I have an 18 speed in my truck shifts very well. Have not had any major mechanical issues with it. Had to have a fox head bolt drilled out other than that its been a good transmission.

    I have never heard any good comments about a merritor transmission, don't think I ever will personally I believe they were an epic fail don't think to highly of the rears in my tractor either can't find parts for them. But for brake parts nothing touches my tractor but Rockwell.

    I haven't heard much good about the Eaton automated transmissions, everybody says the Volvo I shift is a much better transmission. I have no experience with automatics so I cannot give you personal first hand experience on which is better and which is worse.

    Keep in mind with the low RPM motors could be your problem. My trunk refuses to come out of gear without the clutch above 1700 which is probably where you're used to shifting on the old motors. Mine doesn't cross about 1400 when I'm shifting up, that seems to be the best combination of pulling power and fuel economy for my truck
     
    379exhd, Sep 10, 2013
    379exhd, Sep 10, 2013
    #2
    Boka Thanks this.
  4. Sep 10, 2013 #3
    Boka

    Boka Light Load Member

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    Nov 6, 2012
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    I also like eaton fuller 13 speed the best. Drove a 10 speed Meritor few times and hated it....

    It all depends what kind of freight you wanna pull but i think you cant go wrong with 13 speed EF, 18 speed is mostly used for hauling heavy loads with flatbed IMO
     
    Boka, Sep 10, 2013
    Boka, Sep 10, 2013
    #3
  5. Sep 10, 2013 #4
    Passin Thru

    Passin Thru Road Train Member

    1,918
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    Mar 8, 2007
    VA
    0
    Eaton 15 over, 500 HP CAT, easy on the thumb, never touch the clutch Drove 10 spds about 1 million miles, 4 X 4s and Triplexs and 1 5 spd Mack
     
    Passin Thru, Sep 10, 2013
    Passin Thru, Sep 10, 2013
    #4
  7. Sep 10, 2013 #5
    chalupa

    chalupa Road Train Member

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    Jul 22, 2010
    Houston,Texas
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    Loved my 4x4, thanks man. Had it hooked to a 445 Yamaha and 3.90's. Did Mack 5 and 6 speeds, triplex and quadraplex and did a 13 with a 4 speed brownie behind it.

    But for the op, Eaton 10 speed be the most dependable IMO.

    JMO
     
    chalupa, Sep 10, 2013
    chalupa, Sep 10, 2013
    #5
  8. Sep 10, 2013 #6
    daddyflea

    daddyflea Bobtail Member

    24
    8
    Sep 11, 2012
    0
    Thanks Guys I crawled in an Automatic about a year ago and did not even realize they made them for Trucks. That is ones that actually worked. Been hauling Rock for the last 6 months with Eaton 10 speeds and it sure seems I shift them more than the 13. Really liked that Pete with the 13. I was hauling Anhydrous out of the Port in Houston with it. Might should have stayed at that job.

    And who ever posted about shifting higher, you are right. My old Detroits used to like to run about 21 before you shifted. Of course you also could not let them idle all night either you had to increase the idle just slightly to keep the oil pressure up.

    I have no trouble at all upshifting but these newer motors have very little engine braking and I seem to like to down shift a little early. Sure wish the Jake was just a button on the Steering Wheel instead of a switch on the Dash. Back in the Old Days the Jake was a lever where most of the Trailer Brakes are now.
     
    daddyflea, Sep 10, 2013
    daddyflea, Sep 10, 2013
    #6
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